Pulse owners will not be charged in nightclub mass shooting that left 49 dead

ORLANDO, Florida. – The owners of the Pulse nightclub will not face manslaughter charges in connection with the 2016 mass shooting that left 49 people dead and 53 injured, Orlando police records show.

No charges will be filed against the former owners, Barbara and Rosario Poma, because there is insufficient evidence to prove negligent homicide, Orlando police said.

Records show that at least 23 people met with Orlando police after the shooting, all of whom made criminal allegations against Barbara and Rosario Poma, including:

• The unavailability of construction plans for the first responders during the three-hour hostage-taking

• Unauthorized renovations and structural changes to the interior and exterior that have not been approved by the City of Orlando

• A history of occupancy violations, revealed by public records and survivor records, shows that the club was likely overcrowded at the time of the shooting.

• Operating Pulse for years in violation of its conditional use permit, which allowed the business to operate as a restaurant and martini bar, not a nightclub

• Other general failures in safety and risk management

The investigation found that while it is standard to have “instant access” to the floor plans of schools, hospitals, some churches, shopping malls and public venues, not every barn, nightclub, restaurant or commercial establishment in the city is immediately available.

It was also found that unauthorized renovations and alterations had been made to the interior and exterior of Pulse, the report said.

Additionally, Pulse was found to have met capacity numbers in 82% of Orlando Fire Department's unannounced inspections between 2015 and 2016.

The report concluded that none of the Pomas' actions with respect to the unauthorized alterations to their floor plans or their alleged inattention to their doors and exits were done with a reckless disregard for human life or a total disregard for the safety of others.

“The Pomas could not reasonably have foreseen or anticipated a terrorist incident at Pulse,” the report states, in part.

You can read the entire Orlando Police Department document below: